Funds
China late-stage tech: Chasing unicorns
Capital is flooding into China-based internet companies, with PE firms, family offices, hedge funds and strategic players all-too-willing to support large, late-stage rounds. Not everyone will emerge a winner
Q&A: Hony Capital's John Zhao
Hony Capital CEO John Zhao expects to see more control opportunities arising from domestic succession planning, cross-border expansion and restructuring. He explains how his firm is preparing the ground
GGV closes $457m China top-up fund
GGV Capital has raised a $457 million top-up fund for follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies.
Tiantu leads $29m round for online grocery platform FreshMart
China consumer-focused GP Tiantu Capital has led a RMB180 million ($29 million) funding round for Chinese online grocery service FreshMarket.
Future Consumer to exit salon chain, acquire MNS Foods
Indian venture capital firm Future Consumer Enterprise (FCEL) will exit its salon subsidiary Star & Sitara, and to acquire a controlling stake in confectioner MNS Foods.
China Renaissance unit Huaxing Capital targets $150m fundraise
Huaxing Capital, the principal investment division of boutique investment bank China Renaissance, has launched its latest fund with a target of $150 million.
Trustbridge, Foxconn, JD.com back Chinese tablet maker
Trustbridge Partners has led a RMB100 million ($16 million) Series A round of funding for Jide Technology, a Chinese manufacturer of tablets running the Android operating system (OS).
Japan Industrial Solutions backs beleaguered Sharp
Turnaround specialist Japan Industrial Solutions (JIS) has invested JPY25 billion ($208 million) in ailing electronics group Sharp as part of JPY225 billion bailout.
Ex-Macquarie Asia PE head Hugh Dyus joins Navis
Navis Capital Partners has appointed Hugh Dyus, who until last year was head of Asia private equity at Macquarie Funds Management, as a partner based in Hong Kong.
Venture to benefit from Australia investor visa reforms
The Australian government has finalized changes to its significant investor visa (SIV) program, which will see more capital funneled into domestic venture capital.
PAG targets $3b for second Asia fund
PAG Asia Capital has launched its second pan-regional fund and is looking to raise $3 billion. The GP, which is led by Weijian Shan, formerly of TPG Capital, closed its maiden fund at $2.5 billion in 2012.
ICG invests in Korean tutoring business
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) has invested an undisclosed sum in Time Education, a privately-owned education company in Korea that provides tutoring services from kindergarten through high school.
SIDBI, Maharashtra government form $31m start-up fund
The government of the Indian state of Maharashtra has paired with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to set up a INR2 billion ($31.1 million) venture fund for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Korea's Posco, Green Cross lead round for US-based Juventas
South Korea-based Posco Capital and biopharmaceutical player Green Cross have led a $7.5 million round for Juventas Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech development company based in the US.
Q&A: Unison Capital's Tatsuo Kawasaki
Unison Capital is in the process of raising its fourth Japan-focused fund. Tatsuo Kawasaki, a partner at the firm, discusses how government policy and market dynamics might impact its deployment
Deal focus: Canva's simple design wins VC support
When Australian entrepreneur Melanie Perkins taught design in schools, she noticed that students struggled when using traditional software such as Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. Clearly there could be a simpler solution.
Deal focus: Warburg Pincus rides with China's eDaijia
It is estimated that around three shots of soju is sufficient for an adult to attain a blood alcohol content of 0.05% and therefore be in violation of Korea’s laws that prohibit driving while intoxicated. Punishments start at six months in jail or a KRW3...
India e-commerce: Grocery growth spurt
There has been a proliferation of start-ups in India’s online grocery sector, and investors have taken notice. But the companies that survive in the harsh competition to come will have to be tough
India IPOs: Staying afloat
India’s public markets are at record highs, but IPO activity remains lackluster. Investors want an overhaul of the listings approval process and a regulatory system that is suited to PE and VC-backed companies
Primavera leads $50m round for China online advertising platform
Primavera Capital has led a $50 million Series D round of funding for Miaozhen Systems, a Chinese third-party big data company that specializes in advertising services.
Thailand's aCommerce raises $5m from existing backers
Existing investors including Ardent Capital, Indonesian conglomerate Sinarmas and Inspire Ventures have committed $5 million to aCommerce, a Thailand-based e-commerce services provider.
Australia's Tank Stream raises $15.8m to back start-ups
Australia's Tank Stream Ventures has raised a A$20 million ($15.8 million) fund to invest in local tech start-ups.
SIMI's Arora appointed COO of SoftBank Group
SoftBank Corp. has named Nikesh Arora - CEO of SoftBank investment unit SoftBank Internet & Media Inc.(SIMI) - as the Japanese telecom and internet conglomerate's new president and COO.
Babson closes Asia mezzanine fund at $177m
Babson Capital Management has reached a final close of $177.2 million on its latest Asia-focused mezzanine fund.